Skip to main content

“I Got Up Again” by J.R. McEntyre: How Scars Become Testimonies


J.R. McEntyre's "I Got Up Again" is more than a song - it's a living example of hope that is found during personal struggle. J.R.'s story is one where he drifted away from the faith during his younger years. He shares: "That road led to a broken marriage, separation from my children, and trying to cope with the pain by drinking a fifth of Crown a day. I felt like a failure. But even in that dark place, God's mercy reached me, and He lifted me up."

J.R. McEntyre - I got up againThe core message of the song is a reflection of Micah 7:8: "Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise." Failure just isn't an option when God's mercy comes into play. "Staring at the bottom // The devil thought he sealed the deal." J.R. wouldn't accept defeat. With "fire in my bones," he declared his resilience.

The chorus rejoices: "Yes, I got up again // With Jesus by my side," emphasizing that divine strength will always triumph over despair! But most of all, the song speaks to anyone who is hiding behind their "Sunday smile." 

If you've ever felt trapped by the past, the bridge reminds you: "Every scar tells the story // Of the enemy's plan // But Jesus stepped in just in time." 

J.R. has been faithfully in church for 25 years, married for 25 years, and for the last 17 years he's had the privilege of planting and pastoring a thriving church that's still going strong. He has a message for you: "Every scar tells a story of what the enemy meant for harm, but today I'm living proof my life is in His hands."

So, what are you waiting for? Press play and let this song be your reminder that hope is where you least expect it. With Jesus, no fall has to be final.

(Related scripture: Micah 7:8; Psalm 37:24; 2 Corinthians 4:8-9)

Connect with J.R. McEntyre

Would you like to hear more CCM music? Then check out our Christian playlists on: https://www.christiandance.eu/playlists

PS: Did you know that the posts we have on Christian Music Today also contain the backstories that artists have shared with us? Check it out on: https://christianmusictoday.eu/

Popular posts

"Thankful" by Lowen: The Practice of Being Thankful

Lowen's "Thankful" isn't one of those typical feel-good gratitude songs. Life is good most of the time… and even when it hurts, there's often something quietly waiting inside the pain, like a lesson, a softening, or a deeper understanding. Lowen found inspiration for this song in what Stephen Colbert once said, "… he learned to love the thing he most wished had never happened, and that simply being here is a gift. Gratitude means holding all of it, not just the easy parts."   The lyrics open with a warm anchor: "Every day that I wake, I just feel so thankful." We're encouraged not to flinch from the messy middle. This is not about ignoring life's quakes! Lowen admits, "honesty is telling me I need space" when the world feels unsteady. In other words, the gratitude that Lowen sings about isn't about forcing a smile through pain — it's about meeting every moment (including the hard moments) with presence, care, and res...

"Your Love" by Kevin Winebarger - When Mercy Becomes Your Identity

Kevin Winebarger teamed up with Joshua Frerichs and Benji Cowart to create this beautiful song. "Your Love" tackles that discouraging voice we all hear from time to time, the one that whispers that we're not enough and that we are defined by our past. "Once a liar, always a liar," and all kinds of variations along this same line of thought. This song isn't about wallowing in shame. "Your Love" is a celebration of the grace that changes everything.  The opening lines hit hard: "I could believe that I'm not enough // It's clear to see I don't measure up." Yep, we've all been there! But this isn't how God want us to be defined… He loved us first! "It's just what You've done // Because of Your love." That's the heart of everything.  Kevin places the change the God brings into perspective, "I could believe that my mistakes // Will follow me down into the grave // But I'm not who I was....

Top 2000 Year-End Chart - Best Christian Contemporary Songs Streamed in 2021 - (HOT CHRISTIAN SONGS)

Our Top 2000 Year-End Chart of the most-streamed Christian Contemporary Music (CCM & CEDM) in 2021.  One single playlist with 154 hours and 36 minutes of listening pleasure. Ranking the 2000 most streamed songs of the year. View our Top 2000 Charts Archive You can listen to the playlist on Spotify:  https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0eGdkgGmwk5k78RupaYxWx We have synced this playlist to Deezer and YouTube (the majority of the songs from our playlist are also on these platforms). On Deezer:   https://www.deezer.com/playlist/8426311062   On YouTube Music: https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSxwvzjqcN_Zy_DopeCUDK8BPxkL8by7e   Don't forget to check out our other Christian playlists on:  https://www.christiandance.eu/playlists